ArticleBJGP open2025
Diagnostic information in GP referral letters to a memory clinic: a retrospective cohort study.
Article in BJGP open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundDementia diagnostics can often be performed in primary care, yet older people with memory complaints are frequently referred to memory clinics (MCs).
aimTo compare diagnostic information in GP referral letters of patients with and without an eventual dementia diagnosis. DESIGN &
settingRetrospective cohort study in a Dutch academic MC.
methodWe collected electronic health record (EHR) data of consecutive patients aged ≥65 years referred by their GP between 2016 and 2020. EHR data included patient characteristics, diagnostic information in referral letters, ancillary investigations performed at the MC, and established diagnoses. We performed χ
resultsOf 651 patients included, the average age was 78.0 years (standard deviation 6.8) and 348 (53.5%) were diagnosed with dementia. Most people with dementia were diagnosed without ancillary investigations (
conclusionGPs often correctly mention diagnostic information and dementia criteria in referral letters of people with dementia, and they are often diagnosed without ancillary investigations. This suggests that referral is often unnecessary, and GPs can be empowered to diagnose dementia themselves.
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